In May, we had one more week of work and play on the Big Island, several days of travel back to Cologne, then jumped jetlagged back into teaching, coaching, publishing and celebrating there! Felt at home in both Hawai’i and Germany, both happy and homesick in each location.
Happy Summer Solstice, arriving in late June in the Northern Hemisphere, and a time of high summer, early harvests, fruits and berries, creative energy in the natural world and for us individually.
Tap into the radiant energy of long bright days, short nights (as well as tipping into times of shorter days), basking, glowing, radiance, enjoyment, savoring, bounty, nourishment, possibly also thriving, relaxation, rest, vacation, getting outside, energy and adventure.
A ripe time for dance and sport intensives, camps, writing and creativity, and rich possibility for growth and breakthroughs!
April revelry took place on two continents and an island, was 50 percent “regular” teaching, creating, and normal publishing schedule and travel prep, 50 percent adventures in several places I feel at home: Portland, Oregon with dear friends like family and Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i with actual family and mentors.
Honored to host and participate in special events along the way, such as World Tai Chi & Qigong Day on the Big Island, a live performance of “The Wizard of Oz Ballet” and a recorded one of the Big Island Choreographers
In a nutshell, my personal themes for the month were Easter & Spring, Love & Friendship, and HOME.
In this article I’ll wrap up the month of March and Quarter 1 as a whole as related to my own projects, life and events. What went on for you during this period and what’s planned?
The first blossoms emerged from the earth, filling me with excitement to bloom with you this season.
Recently I shared a new workshop called “Fine Feedback: How to Give & Receive Constructive Criticism & Promote Dance in the Process” with a group of talented dancers & choreographers at West Hawai’i Dance Theatre.
Content included practicing a host of powerful tools for distinguishing fact, interpretation, empowering & disempowering input about our creative work.
During the workshop, I shared examples like the ones I read off index cards in this video, from fabulous to fraught, words of feedback I’ve heard and received in the context of dance technique, performance, choreography, and even publishing on YouTube…
In the “Fine Feedback” workshop, dancers and choreographers will learn tools to solicit, evaluate, and provide high-quality critique, practice distinctions, and come away with supportive structures that can be applied to future dancemaking.
February was for protest & partying, demonstrating & dancing, love, Eating Disorders Awareness Week & Koeln Karneval!
The first blossoms emerged from the earth, filling me with excitement to bloom with you this season.
Spring is a season I find easier to embrace than the cold winter, having waited through the dark part of the year for its arrival seemingly with baited breath.
Being a (late) spring baby myself, I’ve always been especially drawn to the season, the themes of new life, rebirth, emergence, vitality, fertility, the increasing warmth and light, and joy! From the first early blossoms and rays of Sun leading up to the Spring Equinox, to the long, bright days of the Summer Solstice, I do my best to make the most of this richly potent season of growth and development.
In January I enjoyed a reflective and celebratory staycation, lots of teaching, trying new things, and planning an extraordinary 2025!
My intention for a “Gentle January” held true, even as a new cycle of teaching, coaching, and experiences began.
We had a festive Silvester/NYE into a restful and reflective New Year’s Day, played Fussball/Soccer Billiards with friends for the first time, saw lots of pretty Snow (the snowiest winter so far since I moved to Germany), returned to learning Tango, and attended Live Art at a local gallery.
Protests leading up to German election began and would continue in February, important times to defend democracy and human rights!
Happy Women’s History Month in March and International Women’s Day Saturday, March 8th, 2025!
In celebration of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month, I’m sharing complimentary mini dance workshops in-person and online as well as resources from the hosts of this important event.
International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
